Ezekiel 20
1 And it happened that, in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth of the month, men from the elders of Israel arrived, so that they might inquire of the Lord, and they sat before me.
Ikawa ikaja katika mwaka wa saba, siku ya kumi ya mwezi wa tano, wazee wa Israeli wakaja kumuuliza Yahwe na kuketi mbele yangu.
2 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God: Have you arrived in order to inquire of me? As I live, I will not answer you, says the Lord God.
“mwanadamu, tangaza kwa wazee wa Israeli na uwaambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Mmekuja kuniuliza swali? Kama niishivyo, sitaulizwa swali na ninyi! -hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.'
4 If you judge them, if you judge, O son of man, reveal to them the abominations of their fathers.
Je! Utawahukumu? Utamuhukumu, mwanadamu? Wajulishe kuhusu machukizo ya baba zao.
5 And you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God: In the day when I chose Israel, and I lifted up my hand on behalf of the stock of the house of Jacob, and I appeared to them in the land of Egypt, and I lifted up my hand on their behalf, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God,’
Waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika siku niliyoichagua Israeli na kuinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa uzao wa nyumba ya Yakobo, na kufanya kujulikana mimi mwenyewe kwao katika nchi ya Misri, wakati nilipoinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao. Nalisema, “Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu”-
6 in that day, I lifted up my hand for their sake, so that I would lead them away from the land of Egypt, into a land which I had provided for them, flowing with milk and honey, which was singular among all lands.
siku hiyo niliinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa ajili yao kwamba nitawatoa kutoka nchi ya Misri kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimeichagua kwa umakini kwa ajili yao. Ilikuwa ikitiririka maziwa na asali; ilikuwa nzuri sana utukufu miongoni mwa nchi mbali mbali.
7 And I said to them: ‘Let each one cast away the offenses of his eyes, and do not choose to defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
Nikawaambia, “Kila mtu atupilie mabli mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake na sanamu za Misri. Msijitie unajisi; mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
8 But they provoked me, and they were not willing to listen to me. Each one of them did not cast away the abominations of his eyes, nor did they leave behind the idols of Egypt. And so, I said that I would pour out my indignation upon them, and fulfill my wrath against them, in the midst of the land of Egypt.
Lakini wameasi juu yangu hawakuwa tayari kunisikiliza. Kila mtu hakutupilia mbali mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake wala kwa ajili ya sanamu za Misri, hivyo nikaona nimwage ghadhabu yangu juu yao kukamilisha hasira yangu miongoni mwao katikati ya nchi ya Misri.
9 But I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be violated in the sight of the Gentiles, in the midst of whom they were, and among whom I appeared to them, so that I might lead them away from the land of Egypt.
Nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu ili lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa ambao walikaa pamoja nao. Nilijifanya mwenyewe kujulikana kwao, katika macho yao, kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
10 Therefore, I cast them out of the land of Egypt, and I led them away into the desert.
Basi nikawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta kwenye jangwa.
11 And I gave them my precepts, and I revealed to them my judgments, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them.
Kisha nikawapa amri zangu na kufanya maagizo yangu kujulikana kwao, kwa kila mwanadamu atakayezishika ataishi.
12 Moreover, I also gave to them my Sabbaths, so that these would be a sign between me and them, and so that they would know that I am the Lord, who sanctifies them.
Pia nikawapatia Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu na wao, ili wajue kwamba mimi ni Yahwe niwafanyao wawe watakatifu.
13 But the house of Israel provoked me in the desert. They did not walk in my precepts, and they cast aside my judgments, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them. And they grievously violated my Sabbaths. Therefore, I said that I would pour out my fury upon them in the desert, and that I would consume them.
Lakini nyumba ya Israeli imeasi dhidi yangu jangwani. Hawakuenenda katika amri zangu; badala yake, wameyakataa maagizo yangu, ambayo mwanadamu ataishi kama akiyatii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu sana, basi nikasema nitamwaga hasira yangu juu yao jangwani ili kuwamalliza.
14 But I acted for the sake of my name, lest it be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, in their sight.
Lakini nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu hivyo lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa, ambao niliwatoa mbele ya macho yao kutoka Misri.
15 And so I lifted up my hand over them in the desert, so as not to lead them into the land that I had given to them, flowing with milk and honey, the foremost of all lands.
Basi mimi mwenyewe pia nimeinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao jangwani sitawarudisha kwenye nchi ile niliyokuwa naenda kuwapatia, nchi inayotiririkayo maziwa na asali, ambayo ilikuwa nzuri sana ambayo ni nzuri kati ya nchi zote.
16 For they cast aside my judgments, and they did not walk in my precepts, and they violated my Sabbaths. For their heart went after idols.
Nimeapa hivi kwa sababu walikataa maagizo yangu na kutotembea katika amri zangu, na wazikufuru Sabato zangu.
17 Yet my eye was lenient concerning them, so that I did not utterly destroy them, nor did I consume them in the desert.
Lakini jicho langu likawahurumia kutokana na uharibifu na sikuwaangamiza jangwani.
18 Then I said to their sons in the wilderness: ‘Do not choose to advance by the precepts of your fathers, nor should you observe their judgments. And do not be defiled by their idols.
Nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, “Msitembee kutokana na amri za wazazi wenu; msiweke maagizo yao au kujinajisi wenyewe kwa sanamu.
19 I am the Lord your God. Walk in my precepts, and observe my judgments, and accomplish them.
Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu, tembeeni katika amri zangu; tunzeni maagizo yangu na kuyatii.
20 And sanctify my Sabbaths, so that these may be a sign between me and you, and so that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
Zitunzeni Sabato zangu takatifu ili kwamba zitakuwa ishara kati yangu na ninyi, hivyo basi mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
21 But their sons provoked me. They did not walk in my precepts. And they did not observe my judgments, so as to do them; for if a man does them, he shall live by them. And they violated my Sabbaths. And so, I threatened that I would pour out my fury upon them, and that I would fulfill my wrath among them in the desert.
Lakini watoto wao waliniasi. Hawakutembea kwenye sheria zangu au kushika maagizo yangu, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kama akizitii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu, hivyo nimeamua kumwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao kutimiza ghadhabu yangu dhidi yao katika jangwa.
22 But I turned aside my hand, and I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, before their eyes.
Lakini niliurudisha mkono wangu na kutenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, hivyo lisitiwe unajisi katika macho ya mataifa ambao mbele ya macho yao niliwatoa Waisraeli.
23 Again, I lifted up my hand against them, in the wilderness, so that I would disperse them among the nations, and scatter them among the lands.
Mimi mwenyewe pia nimeuinua mkono wangu kuapa juu yao jangwani, kwamba nitawatawanya kati ya maifa na kuwatawanya miongoni mwa nchi mabali mbali.
24 For they had not accomplished my judgments, and they had rejected my precepts, and they had violated my Sabbaths. And their eyes had been after the idols of their fathers.
Nimeamua kufanya hivi kwa kuwa hawakuzitii amri zangu, na tangu walipo zikataa sheria zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu. Macho yao yalizitamani sanamu za baba zao.
25 Therefore, I also gave them precepts that were not good, and judgments by which they shall not live.
Kisha niliwapa amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri, na maagizo ambayo hawakuweza kuishi kwayo.
26 And I defiled them by their own gifts, when they offered everything that opened the womb, because of their offenses. And they shall know that I am the Lord.
Nikawafanya unajisi kwa zawadi zao wakati walipofanya dhabihu za kila limbuko la tumbo la uzazi na kutupa kwenye moto. Nalifanya hivi ili kuwaogofya hivyo wangeweza kujua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe!'
27 For this reason, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God. Yet also in this did your fathers blaspheme me, after they had spurned and despised me,
Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu, waambie nyumba ya Israeli na waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika hili pia baba zenu walinikufuru wakati walipokuwa sio waaminifu kwangu.
28 though I had led them into the land, about which I lifted up my hand, so that I might give it to them: They saw every lofty hill and every leafy tree, and there they immolated their victims, and there they presented the provocation of their oblations, and there they stationed their sweet fragrances, and poured out their libations.
Wakati nilipowaleta kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimewaapia kuwapatia, na kisha popote walipoona jiwe lolote refu na mti wenye majani, walitoa sadaka zao, walinikasirisha kwa sadaka zao, na huko pia walichoma ubani wao wa kunukia na kumwaga sadaka zao za kinywaji.
29 And I said to them, ‘What is exalted about the place to which you go?’ And yet its name is called ‘Exalted,’ even to this day.
Kisha nikawaambia, “Nini maana ya mahali palipoinuka ambapo mmeleta sadaka huko?” Hivyo jina lake linaitwa Bana hata leo.'
30 Because of this, say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Certainly, you are defiled by the way of your fathers, and you have fornicated after their stumbling blocks.
Kwa hiyo waambie nyumba ya Israeli, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Kwa nini unajinajisi mwenyewe kwa njia za baba zako? Kwahiyo kwa nini unatenda kama makahaba, kutafuta kwa ajili ya mambo ya machukizo?
31 And you are being defiled by all of your idols, even to this day, by the oblation of your gifts, when you lead your sons through the fire. And should I respond to you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord God, I will not answer you.
Kwa kuwa wakati mtoapo zawadi zenu na kuwaweka watoto wenu kwenye moto, siku hii mnajitia unajisi pamoja na sanamu zenu zote. Kwa hiyo kwa nini niwaache mniulize mimi, nyumba ya Israeli? Kama niishivyo-Hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Sitawaacha mniulize swali.
32 And the plan of your mind will not occur, saying: ‘We will be like the Gentiles, and like the families of the earth, so that we worship what is wood and stone.’
Mawazo yanayoumbika kwenye moyo wako hayatatokea kamwe. Mmesema, “Ngoja tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama koo za nchi nyingine waabuduo mti na jiwe.”
33 As I live, says the Lord God, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured forth.
Kama niishivyo-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Nitatawala hakika juu yenu kwa mkono wenye nguvu, mkono ulionyooshwa, na ghadhabu itakayomwagwa juu yenu.
34 And I will lead you away from the peoples. And I will gather you from the lands into which you were dispersed. I will reign over you with a powerful hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.
Nitawatoa kutoka kwa watu wengine na kuwakusanya kutoka kwenye nchi mlizotawanyika ndani mwao. Nitafanya hivi kwa mkono hodari na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika.
35 And I will lead you into the desert of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you, face to face.
Kisha nitawaleta kwenye jangwa la watu, na huko nitawahukumu uso kwa uso.
36 Just as I contended in judgment against your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so also will I enter into judgment with you, says the Lord God.
Kama nilivyo wahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, hivyo pia nitawahukumu-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.
37 And I will subject you to my scepter, and I will lead you into the bonds of the covenant.
Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, na nitawafanya kutii maagizo yangu ya agano.
38 And I will select, from among you, the transgressors and the impious. And I will lead them away from the land of their sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord.
Nitawasafisha kutoka miongoni mwenu maasi na wale ambao walionichukiza. Nitawatoa kutoka nchi ambayo wanayoishi kama wageni, lakini hawataingia kwenye nchi ya Israeli. Kisha mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
39 And as for you, house of Israel: thus says the Lord God: Walk, each one of you, after your idols and serve them. But if in this also you will not listen to me, and you continue to defile my holy name with your gifts and with your idols,
Basi kwenu, nyumba ya Israeli, Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Kila mmoja wenu ataenda kwa sanamu zake mwenyewe. Muwaabudu kama mtakataa kunisikiliza, lakini hamtalikufuru tena jina langu takatifu kwa zawadi zenu na sanamu zenu.
40 on my holy mountain, on the exalted mountain of Israel, says the Lord God, there all the house of Israel shall serve me; all of them, I say, in the land in which they shall please me, and there I will require your first-fruits, and the foremost of your tithes, with all your sanctifications.
Kwa kuwa juu ya mlima wangu mtakatifu, juu ya kilele cha mlima wa Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-wote wa nyumba ya Israeli mtaniabudu huko katika nchi. Nitabarikiwa kwa kutaka sadaka zenu huko, na pia malimbuko yenu ya shukrani pamoja na vitu vyenu vyote vitakatifu.
41 I will receive from you a fragrance of sweetness, when I will have led you away from the peoples, and gathered you from the lands into which you were dispersed. And I will be sanctified in you before the eyes of the nations.
Nitawapokea kama harufu nzuri ya ubani wakati nitakapowatoa kutoka wale watu na kuwakusanya toka nchi ambazo mlizotawanyika. Nitajifunua mimi mwenyewe kama mtakatifu ndani yenu kwa ajili ya mataifa waone.
42 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I will have led you into the land of Israel, into the land about which I lifted up my hand, so that I would give it to your fathers.
Kisha, wakati nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, kwenye nchi ambayo niliuinulia mkono wangu kuapa kuwapatia baba zenu, mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your wickedness, by which you have been defiled. And you will be displeased with yourselves in your own sight, over all your evil deeds which you did.
Kisha mtazikumbuka njia zenu mbaya huko, na matendo yenu yote machafu mliyoyafanya wenyewe, na mtajichukia wenyewe katika macho yenu kwa matendo yenu yote maovu mliyoyafanya.
44 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I will have acted well toward you for the sake of my name, and not according to your evil ways, nor according to your very great wickedness, O house of Israel, says the Lord God.”
Hivyo mtajua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe nifanyapo haya kwenu kwa ajili ya jina langu, sio kwa njia zenu mbaya au matendo yenu mabovu, nyumba ya Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.”'
45 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
46 “Son of man, set your face against the way of the south, and pour in drops toward Africa, and prophesy against the forest of the field of the meridian.
“Mwanadamu, weka uso wako kuelekea nchi za kusini, na kuongea juu ya kusini; tabiri juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
47 And you shall say to the meridian forest: Listen to the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and I will burn up within you every green tree and every dry tree. The flame of the kindling will not be extinguished. And every face will be burned up within it, from the south, even to the north.
Uuambie msitu wa Negebu, 'Hivi ndivyo Yahwe asemavyo-Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Tazama, nitaweka moto ndani yako. Utakula kila mti mbichi na kila mti mkavu ndani yako. Miali ya moto haitazimika; na kila uso utokao kusini hata kaskazini utateketezwa kwa moto.
48 And all flesh will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it, and that it will not be extinguished.”
Kisha watu wote wenye mwili watajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe nimeuwasha moto, na hautazimika.”'
49 And I said: “Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God! They are saying about me: ‘Does this man not speak except through parables?’”
Kisha nimesema, Ee! Bwana Yahwe, Wananisema mimi, 'Je! yeye sio mwenye kusema mafumbo?”'
